Government

This Week In Olympia
With the end of the legislative session nigh, will lawmakers be able to wrap up their work or will there be a special session? Jerry Cornfield, reporter and political columnist for the Everett Herald, is waiting for answers along with the rest of us.

Breaking The Cycle Of Human Trafficking
In Kolkata, India’s red-light district, the New Light Foundation runs two centers that provide poor and abandoned girls with health care, meals, tutoring and in the case of 40 children, a roof over their head. Urmi Basu, founder and director of New Light, is now in the process of establishing a home for young boys so that they too can leave the red-light district.

The Beauty Of Endangered Birds
There are 590 bird species that are endangered or critically endangered. Some only live in captivity. Around the world there are places where only old nests and the memories of their songs remain. Photographer Tim Laman and ornithologist Ed Scholes bring us the story of endangered birds.

What makes this legislative session so special? Ross Reynolds talks with Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins about what is and isn't happening in our state's capitol.

Seattle Interim Police Chief Jim Pugel says "I'll apologize for the rest of my life" for appearing in a department produced video showing officers mocking the city's homeless to the tune of a classic pop hit.

According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, 70 percent of Americans believe the Republican Party is out of touch with the concerns of most people in the United States. Even more revealing is that 49 percent of Republicans feel the GOP is out of touch.

What about you? If you identify as a Republican or a conservative: Is the party out of step with mainstream voters? Ross Reynolds discusses the GOP with listeners.

Nearly 40 percent of Americans engaged in political activity on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter in the 2012 campaign.  That’s a dramatic increase from 2008 when only 26 percent of the population even used a social networking site, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.  KUOW’s Ross Reynolds takes a closer look at the new study with Pew researcher Aaron Smith.

Today Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson ordered T-Mobile USA to stop deceptive advertising for its “no contract” plans.

The Port Of Seattle Has A New Commissioner
Stephanie Bowman has been selected to join the Seattle Port, filling the seat Rob Holland vacated.  Last month, Courtney Gregoire was picked to replace Gael Tarleton. President of the Port of Seattle Commission Tom Albro explains why these two were selected out of the 35 applicants.

Inside The Emanuel Family
Ezekiel Emanuel and his two brothers Rahm and Ari grew up to become powerhouses in their respective careers. Rahm is the mayor of Chicago, Ari is a successful Hollywood agent and Ezekiel is the head of the department of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. In his new memoir "Brothers Emanuel: A Memoir of An American Family," Ezekiel tells the story of his family's history — from his parents early life as political and civil rights activists to the family's modern day successes.

Following The Old Rules
The Washington State Constitution is a 19th century document rooted in populist traditions from the era. It still functions today, but there have been significant changes. Over the past decade, state courts have come to rely on the state’s constitutional rather than federal doctrines. This is especially true in the area of individual rights, according to Hugh Spitzer, Constitutional scholar and co-author of the book, "The Washington State Constitution."

Seattle’s July 4th fireworks are scheduled to go ahead after all. City leaders announced yesterday they’ve secured enough corporate sponsors to stage the event on Lake Union this summer.